Back in 2012 I was gifted a small Stanley No.100 1/2 block plane that was obviously new-old stock. It was in mint condition in it’s box and still wrapped in the tissue like paper used from the factory.
As a basic description, the Stanley No. 100 1/2 block plane is a compact, curved-bottom, squirrel-tailed plane
About the Plane
The plane has a rear handle that is commonly referred to as a Squirrel-Tail. It has a circular hole at the top for hanging on a nail.
The No. 100 1/2 is dimensionally similar to the No.100 (and also the No.101 – which doesn’t have a squirrel-tail) with the exception being the sole. It is designed with a convex sole and iron for shaving concave surfaces like chair seats and model making.
The plane is 12 cm (3 1/2 inches) long with a 2.5cm (1 inch) wide blade. It’s convex sole has a 12 inch radius heel to toe and 7/8 inch radius side to side.
The No. 100, 101, and 100 1/2 all have a depression for your index finger on the front, making them handy for precise tasks. Despite their vintage origins, modern versions of these planes are still available today.
These planes were produced from 1936 until 1962. The red lever cap was introduced in 1941.
This excerpt from Stanley’s 1958 catalogue shows the No. 100 1/2 plane.
Apparently it came into being after Stanley canvassed tradespeople for what tools they wanted.
A modelmaker wanted a tool for working on the concave surfaces of the model yachts that he made and the No. 100 1/2 was Stanley’s answer.
